NHL Power Rankings: The most captivating game left for every team in December
The big news of the week in the hockey world was Alex Ovechkin scoring a hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks to reach 800 goals, becoming the third player in NHL history to do so. As Ovi has been on this recent goal-scoring heater, his Washington Capitals have won eight of their last 11 games. How high did the Caps rise in this week’s Power Rankings?
Find out the answer to that question, as well as our take on the biggest game of the next two weeks for each club, as we get ready to flip the calendar to 2023.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the most recent edition, published Dec. 9. Points paces are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 82.76%
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Dec. 17), vs. FLA (Dec. 19), vs. WPG (Dec. 22)
vs. Senators, Dec. 27. The Bruins are one of the league’s undisputedly excellent teams. But when Boston met the Senators in October, they quickly fell behind 3-0 and stumbled to a 7-5 loss. Do the Senators have Boston’s number? Or was that just a blip? Let’s see what the sequel says.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 73.33%
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Dec. 17), @ CAR (Dec. 20), @ FLA (Dec. 21)
vs. Bruins, Dec. 23. The Devils are neck-and-neck with the Bruins atop the Eastern Conference standings. New Jersey has a chance — in one of two clashes with Boston over five days — to prove why they should be the ones pulling ahead into the No. 1 slot.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 70.97%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Dec. 17), vs. TB (Dec. 20), vs. PHI (Dec. 22)
vs. Coyotes, Dec. 29. The Leafs’ first tilt against Arizona was a chaotic mess: Toronto fell behind 2-0 (at home!), came back to tie, coughed one up on the power play (after an all-time egregious turnover), then appeared to tie the game again with 39 seconds left in regulation only to have the goal overturned by a controversial hand pass ruling. What could possibly await now in the desert?
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 70.31%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Dec. 17), vs. BUF (Dec. 19), vs. ARI (Dec. 21)
vs. Sabres, Dec. 19. The Golden Knights have unique ties to Buffalo post-Jack Eichel trade. Whether or not Eichel (currently on IR) is available to play, there’s added juice for the Sabres, with Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs being back in Vegas. And Buffalo will try bringing the heat after how they folded earlier this season at home to the Golden Knights.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 66.67%
Next seven days: @ CAR (Dec. 18), vs. NYR (Dec. 20), vs. CAR (Dec. 22)
vs. Rangers, Dec. 20. The Penguins haven’t met New York since blowing a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series last May and bowing out with an overtime loss in Game 7. Pittsburgh is also battling the Rangers for position in a crowded Metropolitan. These are big points regardless.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 68.97%
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Dec. 17), vs. PIT (Dec. 18), vs. NJ (Dec. 20), @ PIT (Dec. 22)
vs. Devils, Dec. 20. The Hurricanes finally face the Metropolitan mammoth that is New Jersey. Carolina has been jockeying with Pittsburgh (whom they’ll see twice in the next week) for second in the division. So it’s the perfect time for these Hurricanes to take the Devils’ test — and see how well they fare.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 67.24%
Next seven days: @ VAN (Dec. 17), @ SEA (Dec. 18), vs. OTT (Dec. 20), @ BOS (Dec. 22)
vs. Bruins, Dec. 22. The Jets have soared their way up the Western Conference standings. Boston has barely budged from leading the East. This will be a true heavyweight bout … and possible Stanley Cup Final preview?!
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 67.24%
Next seven days: @ MTL (Dec. 17), @ TOR (Dec. 20), @ DET (Dec. 21)
vs. Maple Leafs, Dec. 20. The Lightning seem to enjoy playing Toronto. Their first clash this season was another drama-filled overtime victory for Tampa (shorthanded goal against, followed by two power-play scores and an Alex Killorn dagger 30 seconds into the extra frame). And who can forget last season’s playoff comeback? Division rivalries don’t get more fun than this.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 66.13%
Next seven days: @ CAR (Dec. 17), @ CBJ (Dec. 19), vs. EDM (Dec. 21)
vs. Wild, Dec. 29. The Stars’ comeback effort in Minnesota two weeks ago was epic: Dallas trailed 5-1 in the third period and roared back to get a point in the shootout loss. It’s hard to imagine a more entertaining matchup, but with the last one fresh in mind these sides could make it happen.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 60.34%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Dec. 18), vs. STL (Dec. 20), @ VAN (Dec. 22)
vs. Oilers, Dec. 30. The Kraken take on one of the Pacific Division’s (other) high-powered offenses for the first time this season when the Oilers pay a visit. Seattle has been scoring in bunches, and Edmonton has got strikers to spare. How many goals should we expect that night?
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 57.14%
Next seven days: vs. NSH (Dec. 17), vs. NYI (Dec. 19), vs. MTL (Dec. 21)
vs. Maple Leafs, Dec. 31. The Avalanche close out 2022 with a late-afternoon matchup against one of the NHL’s top teams in Toronto. It’s on Colorado’s turf, and while the Avs are banged up, so too are the Leafs (defensively, at least). It should put them on equal footing for a barn-burning end to the year.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: @ ARI (Dec. 16), @ VGK (Dec. 17), @ COL (Dec. 19), @ NYR (Dec. 22)
vs. Rangers, Dec. 22. The Islanders can sweep their season series with a heated rival in this third and final meeting. Their most recent win involved overcoming a 3-1 hole to steal key points on the road. Can the Isles make it a clean sweep?
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 59.68%
Next seven days: @ PHI (Dec. 17), @ CHI (Dec. 18), @ PIT (Dec. 20), vs. NYI (Dec. 22)
vs. Penguins, Dec. 20. The Rangers will meet Pittsburgh for the first time since last spring’s first-round playoff series, when New York overcame a 3-1 deficit and eliminated its division rival with a wild overtime victory in Game 7; Jacob Trouba‘s hit on Sidney Crosby knocked the latter out for the majority of that comeback. Bad blood? We’ll say!
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 58.62%
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Dec. 16), vs. OTT (Dec. 18), @ ANA (Dec. 21), @ SJ (Dec. 22)
vs. Blues, Dec. 31. The Wild can close 2022 on a high note (pun intended!) against the St. Louis squad that overcame a 2-1 first-round playoff series deficit to kick Minnesota out of the postseason mix six months ago. Revenge is best served cold.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 53.13%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Dec. 17), vs. DET (Dec. 19), @ OTT (Dec. 22)
vs. Senators, Dec. 22. The Capitals’ last trip to Ottawa ended in an ugly loss when Washington blew a 2-0 second-period lead and couldn’t stop the Senators from scoring five straight to the finish. Sure, they’re not rivals or anything, but no one forgets difficult nights like that. How will Washington handle round two?
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 56.06%
Next seven days: vs. SJ (Dec. 17), vs. ANA (Dec. 20), vs. CGY (Dec. 22)
vs. Ducks, Dec. 20. The Kings’ rivalry with Anaheim is always compelling, even if one (or both) teams are struggling. In their first Freeway Face-off of the season, L.A. will no doubt find extra motivation to perform, and the Ducks have surprised a few opponents this season with some plucky comeback wins.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 56.45%
Next seven days: vs. ANA (Dec. 17), @ NSH (Dec. 19, @ DAL (Dec. 21)
vs. Flames, Dec. 27. The Oilers’ third and final Battle of Alberta matchup already? 2022 has all the luck. The first two outings were decided by a single goal with results split down the middle. Who takes the (regular) season series? And might it be a prequel to a few more (postseason) meetings this spring?
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 55.17%
Next seven days: vs. OTT (Dec. 17), @ WSH (Dec. 19), vs. TB (Dec. 21)
vs. Sabres, Dec. 29. The Red Wings are revamped, but they’ve had their struggles against the Sabres. Detroit has been blown out 8-3 and lost in a shootout to its also-on-the-rise division rival. Are the Red Wings in line for another disappointing finish, or can they turn the tide on Buffalo before 2022 closes out?
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 51.61%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Dec. 17), @ BOS (Dec. 19), vs. NJ (Dec. 21)
vs. Islanders, Dec. 23. The Panthers have beaten New York twice already and go for the season sweep in meeting No. 3. Their prior tilts were tightly contested affairs played out over 10 days in October. Much has changed for both teams since then. Is Florida up to the task one more time on the Island?
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 53.33%
Next seven days: vs. STL (Dec. 16), @ SJ (Dec. 18), @ SJ (Dec. 20), @ LA (Dec. 22)
vs. Blues, Dec. 16. The Flames’ Nazem Kadri (formerly of the Avalanche) had some headline-making drama with Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in the playoffs last season that won’t soon be forgotten. (Kadri collided with Binnington in the crease causing injury; Binnington threw a water bottle at Kadri during a live postgame interview.) Will animosity carry over when those two (potentially) share the ice again?
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: @ COL (Dec. 17), vs. EDM (Dec. 19), @ CHI (Dec. 21)
vs. Avalanche, Dec. 17. The Predators have been at Colorado’s mercy, from last season’s first-round playoff sweep to Nashville dropping their initial meeting this season. But the Predators have improved since then, and with two meetings against the Avs in six days, are primed to settle the score.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. TB (Dec. 17), @ ARI (Dec. 19), @ COL (Dec. 21)
vs. Stars, Dec. 23. The Canadiens are loaded with some of the league’s best young talents (Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, etc.). Ditto Dallas (Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, etc.). What’s not to love about the potential of a high-octane matchup punctuated by the NHL’s stellar up-and-comers?
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 48.28%
Next seven days: @ DET (Dec. 17), @ MIN (Dec. 18), @ WPG (Dec. 20), vs. WSH (Dec. 22)
vs. Bruins, Dec. 27. The Senators put together a wild 7-5 win over Boston back in October where the scoring came in bunches, and Ottawa was terribly fun to watch. History could well repeat itself as both teams come off their holiday breaks with a bang.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Dec. 17), vs. STL (Dec. 19), vs. SEA (Dec. 22)
vs. Oilers, Dec. 23. The Canucks aren’t far behind Edmonton in the tight Pacific Division. Banking points now over a rival can pay dividends down the road. And Vancouver hasn’t seen the Oilers since falling 5-3 in the season opener. How far can the Canucks show they’ve come the last two months?
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: @ ARI (Dec. 17), @ VGK (Dec. 19)
vs. Blue Jackets, Dec. 27. The Sabres used Tage Thompson‘s five-goal night to drown the Blue Jackets 9-4 last week. What will Thompson do for an encore? Does another dominant performance await or can Columbus come up with a response of its own?
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 48.33%
Next seven days: @ CGY (Dec. 16), @ VAN (Dec. 19), @ SEA (Dec. 20)
vs. Kraken, Dec. 20. The Blues met Seattle in their second game of the season and had to stave off a spirited Kraken comeback to earn a narrow overtime victory. Will more theatrics ensue this time? Seattle has become one of the NHL’s best teams in recent weeks, and St. Louis could certainly use more quality wins.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 43.55%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Dec. 17), vs. CBJ (Dec. 20), @ TOR (Dec. 22)
vs. Rangers, Dec. 17. The Flyers played their Metropolitan brethren tough in an early-season meeting that the Rangers won 1-0 in overtime. Does Philadelphia have more of that spunk in them for a second turn against the Blueshirts — this time under the bright Manhattan lights?
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 37.93%
Next seven days: @ BOS (Dec. 17), vs. DAL (Dec. 19), @ PHI (Dec. 20)
vs. Sabres, Dec. 27. The Blue Jackets were embarrassed at home by Buffalo when Tage Thompson’s five-goal explosion ended in a 9-4 blowout loss. How will Columbus respond? The Blue Jackets followed that drubbing with back-to-back wins. Can their next major victory be over Buffalo?
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 40.74%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Dec. 16), vs. BUF (Dec. 17), vs. MTL (Dec. 19), @ VGK (Dec. 21)
vs. Maple Leafs, Dec. 29. The Coyotes often appear at their best facing the Maple Leafs. They’ve already bested Toronto once this season; ending 2022 with a season sweep would be quite the treat.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 32.14%
Next seven days: @ MIN (Dec. 16), vs. NYR (Dec. 18), vs. NSH (Dec. 21)
vs. Blues, Dec. 29. The Blackhawks always have potential to spark against St. Louis given their shared history of Central Division clashes. As with the Kings and Ducks, it’s a rivalry game both sides get up for no matter the standings.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 40.33%
Next seven days: @ LA (Dec. 17), vs. CGY (Dec. 18), vs. CGY (Dec. 20), vs. MIN (Dec. 22)
vs. Canucks, Dec. 27. The Sharks have experienced Vancouver getting the best of them twice after regulation already this season. San Jose won’t want to go through it again, and robbing the Canucks of one (or two) desperately needed points would be a nice post-holiday boost.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 30.65%
Next seven days: @ EDM (Dec. 17), @ LA (Dec. 20), vs. MIN (Dec. 21)
vs. Kings, Dec. 20. The Ducks just need to have fun. And what’s more enjoyable than trying to top your most hated rival in their building? Almost nothing!
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Alden Gonzalez
LOS ANGELES — Aside from his ability to pitch and hit and stretch the boundaries of imagination, Shohei Ohtani has displayed another singular trait in his time in the major leagues: an ability to meet the moment. Or, perhaps, for the moment to meet him.
And so on Wednesday night, with his Los Angeles Dodgers looking to stay unbeaten, the score tied in the bottom of the ninth, and more than 50,000 fans standing and clenching the Ohtani bobbleheads they lined up hours in advance for, Ohtani approached the batter’s box — and his teammates expected greatness.
“He’s going to end this right here,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said he thought to himself.
“We knew,” starting pitcher Blake Snell said. “It’s just what he does.”
Validation came instantly. Ohtani stayed back on a first-pitch changeup from Raisel Iglesias near the outside corner and shot it toward straightaway center field, 399 feet away, for a walk-off home run, sending the Dodgers to a 6-5, come-from-behind victory over the reeling Atlanta Braves.
“I don’t think anybody didn’t expect him to hit a walk-off home run there,” Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman said. “It’s just a question of where he’d hit it.”
The Dodgers are now 8-0, topping the 1933 New York Yankees of Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth for the longest winning streak to begin a season for a reigning champion. The Braves, meanwhile, are 0-7, the type of record no team has ever recovered from to make the playoffs. And Ohtani, with three home runs and a 1.126 OPS this season, just keeps meeting moments.
“He’s pretty good, huh?” Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez said. “It’s Shohei. He’s going to do that. He’s going to do things better than that.”
On Aug. 23 last year, Ohtani reached the 40/40 club with a walk-off grand slam. Five days later, the Dodgers staged a second giveaway of his bobblehead — one that saw his now-famous dog, Decoy, handle the ceremonial first pitch — and Ohtani led off with a home run. On Sept. 19, Ohtani clinched his first postseason berth and ascended into the unprecedented 50/50 club with one of the greatest single-game performances in baseball history — six hits, three homers, two steals and 10 RBIs. Barely two weeks later, he homered in his first playoff game.
When Ohtani came up on Wednesday, he had what he described as a simple approach.
“I was looking for a really good pitch to hit,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “If I didn’t get a good pitch to hit, I was willing to walk.”
Of course, though, he got a good pitch.
And, of course, he sent it out.
“You just feel that he’s going to do something special,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And I just like the way he’s not pressing. He’s in the strike zone, and when he does that, there’s just no one better.”
The Dodgers began their much-anticipated season with a couple of breezy wins over the Chicago Cubs from Japan, even though Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman did not play in them. They returned home, brought iconic rapper Ice Cube out to present the World Series trophy on one afternoon, received their rings on another and swept a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers. Then came the Braves, and the Dodgers swept them, too — even though Freeman, nursing an ankle injury caused from slipping in the shower, didn’t participate.
The Dodgers already have two walk-offs and six comeback wins this season.
Wednesday’s effort left Roberts “a little dumbfounded.”
A nightmarish start defensively, highlighted by two errant throws from Muncy, spoiled Snell’s start and put them behind 5-0 after the first inning and a half. But the Dodgers kept inching closer. They trailed by just two in the eighth and put runners on second and third with two out. Muncy came to bat with his batting average at just .083. He had used the ballyhooed “Torpedo” bat for his first three plate appearances, didn’t like how it altered his swing plane, grabbed his usual bat for a showdown against Iglesias and laced a game-tying double into the right-center-field gap.
An inning later, Ohtani ended it.
“Overall, not just tonight, there is a really good vibe within the team,” Ohtani said after recording his fourth career walk-off hit. “I just think that’s allowing us to come back in these games to win.”
The Dodgers’ 8-0 start has allowed them to stay just ahead of the 7-0 San Diego Padres and the 5-1 San Francisco Giants in the National League West. Tack on the Arizona Diamondbacks (4-2) and the Colorado Rockies (1-4), and this marks the first time in the divisional era that an entire division has combined for at least 25 wins and no more than seven losses, according to ESPN Research. The Dodgers’ and Padres’ starts mark just the fifth season in major league history with multiple teams starting 7-0 or better, and the first time since 2003.
The Dodgers famously overcame a 2-1 series deficit to vanquish the Padres in the NL Division Series last year, then rode that fight to their first full-season championship since 1988.
That fight hasn’t let up.
“It feels like this clubhouse is carrying a little bit of the attitude we had last year that we’re never out of a game and we’re resilient, and we’ve been carrying it into this season,” Muncy said. “It’s been fun to watch. The guys don’t give up. Bad things have happened, and no one’s really been down or out on themselves. Everyone’s just, ‘All right, here we go, next inning, let’s get after it.’ The whole team, top to bottom, has been doing that. It’s been making it really, really fun to play.”
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